Chapter 4 Meeting Princess Elaina

IN THE ROYAL PALACE - The queen with her lamp walked round the castle to do her normal routine of checking if everything is in place.

She does this before going to bed.

Finally, she arrived at the Prince's room. Since the Queen Elizabeth and her daughter Elaina arrived, the prince had to eat in his room.

She knocked at the door gently but there was no response. Could he be asleep?

She pushed the door slowly and went to his bed.. But wait.. He's not there. Even his dinner was untouched.

Oh goodness! Her legs wobbled as thoughts flew wildy in her head. Is he missing? Her lips trembled.

For the first time he's not at home this late. Calm down Rodney, just give him more time.. She told herself.

Midnight passed and he's still not here. She became impatient and left to the guards quarters. She ordered to search for him and they left.

The guards searched quietly so as not to disturb their Urtwood visitors.

AT AURORA'S HOUSE

Cedric was sleeping peacefully in the couch until he was disturbed by bright light coming from outside the window.

"Gosh! Who still keeps their lights on at this time?" he mumbled as he strained his tired eyes to see who it was.

He was jerked fully awake on seeing it was the guards

"Oh crap, I overslept " he slowly opened the door and left surreptitiously avoiding the guards.

He was able to sneak back to the palace since the gate was still opened.

Princess Elaina woke up at midnight since she couldn't sleep.

So she decided to take a walk by the sea shore since she likes staring at the crystal blue waters.

The river is just behind the visitors quarters.

She wore a nice blue gown and rushed out. But she'd never forget her tiara so she took it with her.

Royalty is in her blood, she'll never miss to dress perfectly like a princess.

As she was heading to the main gate, she wasn't looking at her front but staring at her nails instead so she collided with Cedric and they both fell.

Cedric was rushing and he didn't see her as well. She got up immediately and apologized

"Oh my, so sorry" But on seeing who she fell on, she nearly gagged.. A commoner!? Seriously?

"Eww! what's wrong with you, are you blind" she said in revulsion.

She hates commoners cause they're so low class and filthy. And this guy? super filthy.

On looking at him carefully she realized its the same guy her carriage nearly hit. Yuck!

"If it isn't the clumsy pig" she scoffed making Cedric roll his eyes. Really? Then from the way she dressed, he surmised that she's a princess.

So my dad brought a princess and she doesn't know am the prince and she's acting this way, she's crazy already ' he smirked to himself.

"If you're here to marry the prince, fat chance cause you'll never" he said and left immediately.

She scoffed, what's he even talking about.. Yeesh

"Well run you fool, you're not the boss of me and neither can you do anything. You're just a silly commoner! Scram!" she barked at him and continued moving to the stream.

She wondered what's that all about.

Cedric went to his parents room barging in.They weren't asleep they were just discussing on the bed, on seeing him they paused

"Why did you do that?" he said half yelling

"What are you talking about?" his dad asked confused while his mom went to hug him. She's glad he's back.

He quickly disengaged from the hug and snapped

"After telling me to find my bride, you brought back up?" he tried to be less angry but it just kept boiling especially when he remembered how mean Elaina was.

"Cedric, listen to me, I didn't bring back up,they just arrived after we gave the order to find your bride" his dad explained

"Well tell them to leave then!" he said and his dad immediately rose.

"Cedric! They are not leaving and you'll not have to marry her if you don't want to. I'll host an engagement party for you, then you'll bring your bride and I'll bring the princess.. Then you'll choose, we won't choose for you" he said Cedric relaxed.

"Well, there's no need for all the complications and you better keep your word.. I'll choose" he said stressing the word as he stormed out.

"This is a bad idea, I know something bad will happen" Rodney expressed her fears and the king assured her

"Nothing bad will happen, trust me"

THE NEXT DAY.

At Aurora's house, Aurora woke up, feeling overly excited to meet Cedric. He seemed to be the only guy that catches her fancy.

She rushed to the couch but he wasn't there.

"Aww, he went home without even saying goodbye" she mused.

A knock at the door startled her.She rushed to check who it was and brightened up on seeing Cedric.

"Good morning Cedric" she said beaming. She gestured him to get in and was surprised at what he was holding. A bag of grains and flour.

"You bought this?" she asked in disbelief. He chuckled a bit and carried it inside.

"Oh no, I came to check if you got yours, the King sent grains and flour to everyone in the village" she was shocked at it. She rushed to meet her parents.

IN THE PALACE

The King and Queen went to the store like they always do every week to check what they've got.

The store is made up of a big room with many doors where different items are stored separately.

They checked one after the other with the storekeeper, when they arrived at the room where they keep donations for the village, the king remembered

"Oh my word, I totally forgot to give the villagers their grains and flour" he told his wife and she nodded ordering the store keeper

"Direct the guards to share the bags" he nodded and was about to leave but was called back immediately.

Queen Rodney opened the door and it was empty

"Why is the room empty?"

The storekeeper too was shocked to see it empty

"I think I know why?" the king said as he carried a note from the door that says

*i have decided to do the honor of giving the villagers their grains - Prince Cedric*

"Hmm, what's this boy up to" Queen Rodney sighed.

Diego and Sanjay were sitting on the couch in the living room lost in thought, they are both thinking of the same thing - Cedric.

They've not heard from him or seen him ever seen they lost him and he isn't answering their calls

"Great! Just one day the prince went out without us, just then we don't see him again" Diego broke the silence

"Yeah, but I'm sure he's fine... right?" Sanjay said trying not to panic

"Yeah, you're right, he's not a kid, he can take care of himself" Diego added and suddenly the door was banged

"Speak of the devil"

"Jeez! Finally that psycho's here" Diego sprang up to open the door, to his utmost surprise, it's Queen Rodney.

"Why her" Diego mouthed and gulped in before he could greet her, she held his ear and pushed him inside.

"Your highness" Sanjay sprang up shocked.

"I thought I sent you two to find out something for me!" she hurled

"Tell me all you know, Why Cedric dresses like that to find his bride and All that happened yesterday; Start talking" she barked.